Dynasty Capsule: Miami Dolphins

As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re again going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.

The Dolphins started their season in Spanish, putting the exclamation point at the front of the season and forgetting it at the end. A convincing victory over the New England Patriots in week one had many fans hopeful and the team backed up that victory through the first nine weeks with a record of 5-3. However, as fans have grown used to, the season ended with an uninspiring 8-8 record. There is a bright side, with three losses to Green Bay, Detroit and Denver by a combined margin of ten points, this team could have easily finished 11-5. The continued maturation of quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Lamar Miller and exceptional rookie season of wide receiver Jarvis Landry cast a hopeful light on this mediocre season.

Quarterbacks

Ryan Tannehill

I would like to pat myself on the back and say I was banging Tannehill’s drum over the off-season, but not even I expected him to finish as high as he did. He set career marks in attempts, completion percentage, passing yards, yards per attempt and touchdown passes, all while having a career low in interceptions and fumbles lost. Basically, he has solidified himself as the unquestioned starter going into the 2015 season. There was some talk earlier in the season that Tannehill might be benched in favor of backup Matt Moore, but that was laid to rest early. While still not an elite NFL quarterback, another season or two with similar growth will put him in the conversation as an elite fantasy asset.

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Matt Moore

For an instant it appeared Moore was going to get another opportunity to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Fortunately, that did not happen. He is a reliable backup, but he isn’t a player who should be seeing meaningful snaps at this point in his career. As an impending unrestricted free agent, Moore should receive interest from a handful of teams, but won’t likely be seen as a starting option anywhere. He is not likely to become relevant again in dynasty leagues.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson

There is no guarantee Bethel-Thompson will remain on the 2015 roster. I would expect the Dolphins to draft a quarterback in the late rounds or pursue and undrafted rookie if Moore is unable to be retained.

Running Backs

Lamar Miller

Those who invested in Miller over the off-season were rewarded. After Knowshon Moreno’s second major injury of the season and the subsequent move to injured reserve, Miller assumed the role of the lead back. Admittedly, his numbers aren’t anything I would consider exceptional, but there are only a few backs per season able to hit that mark. Unless the Dolphins make a move in free agency or make a surprise selection for a top back in the draft, Miller should be in store for the lion’s share of the carries again in 2015. Right now I would consider Miller a mid-level RB2.

Knowshon Moreno

The 2014 season started off where the 2013 season ended. Moreno was on an absolute tear before injuries to his elbow and knee landed him on injured reserve. Now an unrestricted free agent, there is no telling what team he will play for or how effective he will be going forward, but I wouldn’t bet on him staying in South Beach. He may not even land on a team until a team loses a stud in training camp. If his ACL recovers, he could still have a few years left as a high end fantasy player. Until then, I’m not buying him anywhere, but I’m also not going to cut him where I have him.

Damien Williams

Used mainly as a third down back this year, Williams has the ability to play on all three downs. If another back isn’t added to the roster, he becomes a must own. With Miller in a contract year, Williams has a great opportunity to carve out a larger role after the 2015 season. As it stands, he should be owned in most formats.

LaMichael James

I don’t see a world where James ever becomes fantasy relevant. He’s a roster clogger even in leagues awarding points for return yardage.

Mike Gillislee

I would need 20:1 odds to even bet on Gillislee making the roster this season.

Daniel Thomas

It was absolutely enraging to see Thomas take carries away from Miller and Williams. He runs like a unicycle with a flat tire. If he’s on an NFL roster this season, we might be living in the Twilight Zone.

Wide Receivers

Mike Wallace

There has been speculation Wallace might not even be with the Dolphins after two less than stellar years. However, I don’t think we will see him given his walking papers unless the team selects a wide receiver high in the draft. There just wouldn’t be enough cap relief to cut him, and that huge cap number makes him difficult to trade. It’s likely he remains with the team for one more season. There just aren’t enough inspiring pass catchers on the roster to release their number one. This season saw him improve over last year, but he still isn’t syncing up with Tannehill. He finished as a WR3, and I don’t expect him to improve much next year unless there is some serious work put in during the off-season. He is still a talented player, but he needs to show more focus on the field. I would consider him a dynasty WR4 for the foreseeable future, but I wouldn’t be targeting him in trades.

Brian Hartline

I have always been a big supporter of Hartline, but he really fell off the deep end this season. He could very well see his walking papers if designated as a post June 1st cut. There isn’t any upside here. He’s the definition of a roster clogger, and it pains me to admit that.

Jarvis Landry

To put into perspective how good Landry’s rookie season was, consider he finished less than a point per game behind Julio Jones’ rookie totals. He was this year’s fifth highest scoring rookie receiver in a year with an extraordinary class. Unfortunately for him, the position is crowded with young talent. He is a WR3 with WR2 upside. If he is able to surpass Wallace and become Tannehill’s clear cut number one target, his value could really increase into a mid-level WR2. In fact, he could be next year’s Golden Tate – a player who greatly out produces his pre-season perceived value. He’s a player I want on my rosters given that there are 28 receivers being drafted ahead of him.

Brandon Gibson

There isn’t much to be excited about with Gibson. Both Hartline and Wallace would have to be released and no new receivers added for Gibson to find much value. There isn’t a reason to have him on your roster.

Rishard Matthews

He hasn’t put up great numbers in any of his first three seasons, but he has some potential. He’s a bottom of the roster type of player in very deep formats.

Matt Hazel, Michael Preston and Tyler McDonald

All three of these players will be camp bodies and I don’t expect any of them to make the 2015 roster. Unless one of them goes full Victor Cruz in pre-season, they should remain on the waiver wire.

Tight Ends

Charles Clay

There were high hopes for Clay after a breakout season in 2013, but a knee injury kept him from matching his prior production. Now he is an unrestricted free agent. There is a good chance he ends up with a new contract in Miami, but they don’t project to have much available cap space. With a mediocre rookie class, I think the team will make the necessary moves to lock him up for at least the 2015 season. As of right now, he’s a top 20 tight end, but his value will rise once he’s under contract again. I’d much rather have him than Ladarius Green, Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener, Vernon Davis or Delanie Walker, all tight ends with a higher ADP.

Dion Sims

When Clay missed weeks 12 and 13, Sims stepped in and converted nine targets for eight receptions and 89 yards. While that doesn’t seem like a productive stat line, it made him the eighth highest scoring tight end over those two weeks. He shouldn’t be viewed as anything higher than a TE3 unless Clay isn’t given a new contract. If he inexplicably becomes the starter, he has the potential to move into TE2 territory. He’s worth a roster spot in most formats.

Gerell Robinson, Arthur Lynch and Jake Stoneburner

None of these three should be on any dynasty rosters unless you’re in a league that gives points for blocking and special teams contributions.

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